The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-10-20

He signed convention with Joe johnston,
said to have been drawn by John c. Breck-
enridge, wherein it was stipulated that the
armed confederates under Johnston, should
be allowed to march back to their respective
state capitals with flags flying and drums
beating; their arms to be deposited in their
state arsenals!
The action of General Sherman was repu.
dated by President Lincoln, and the uncon-
ditional surrender of Johnston's army was
the result; but no one ever doubted the
loyalty of Sherman, because of his mistake,
and to-day he is one of the prime favorites
of the public.
THE PENSIONS
1t is further charged that President Cleve-
land vetoed general pension act. So he
did; and so did President Grant veto
general pension act. The men who started
all this clamor against Cleveland, were silent
when Grant did the same thing The only
difference being Grant was Republican,
and so are the men who raised the clamor
against Cleveland, who is Democrat.
There are those who seem to believe that
the National Treasury is sort of Aladdin's
lamp, and that the President is in possession
of Aladdin's magic ring, which it is only
necessary to rub against the lamp to cause
streams of money to flow from the treasury
into the pockets of those who will take the
trouble to hold their pockets open wide
enough to let the dollars pour in. But, after
all, every well has its bottom, and when it is
reached the we'll is dry. And it may not be
amiss to remember that every dollar in the
treasury has been collected from the people
in the way of taxes, and this fact is not
wholly unworthy of consideration.
lam in favorof giving liberal pensions to
the men who put in jeopardy health, limb
and life to maintain the integrity and glory
of our country. But would it not be wise to
give the country chance to live also
Grant and Cleveland each vetoed general
pension law and each did what he believed
to be his duty. Grant has gone, but Cleve'
land stands at the helm of the ship of state,
and it is safe under his guidance. He is as
brave and true as Andrew Jackson, and as
the people stood by Jackson, so should they
stand by Grover Cleveland.
1t has even been charged that the Presi
dent is not friend of the soldiers. Not G
friend of the soldiers! aver, and will prove
that Grover Cleveland has done more for the
soldiers than any other President since the
close of the Civil War.
This paper, which you see in my hand, is
carefully prepared statement made from the
public records by the Honorable G. H
Barger, U. S. Pension Agent for Ohio, anc
the facts am about to state are furnished BY
him.
During the twelve years of the administra
tions of Grant and Hayes, in which perioc
the Republicans controlled both Houses o
Congress-for eight years, those two Presi
dents approved 1856 special pension acts
while Cleveland in only two years-th,
lower House Democratic-approved S6'
special pension acts, or 127 more than Gran
and Hayes approved in twelve years.
Again, during the last two years of Repub
lican administration, under President Arthur
1881 pension certificates, of all kinds, wer
issued but in two years of President Cleve
lands administration 268, ,697 pension certif
Gates were issued, or more than twice a
many as had been issued under RePublica
rule in the same period of time.
When Mr.. Barger took charge of tn
United States Pension Agency for Ohio, i
August, 1885, there were 81 500 pensioneI
in this agency, but under Democratic rul
the number has increased to 39, 500 by Angus
1887, being an increase of s, 200 in two year
During the year ending June 80. 1888, {
Republican rule, the pensioners Of the Obi
. agency received SIS, 66s, 15O so; for the yes
. ending June 80, 1887, the Ohio pensionel
received $7,4s3, ,217.3S; or an increase {
nearly two millions. Under Republican rul'
for the year ending June 80, 1888. the CO.
of paying about FIVE and half millions
pensioners was $23, 562.9o; while unde
Democratic rule for the year ending June 81
1887, the cost of paying about seven and
half millions was $1,000 less than the Repul
licans expended in 1888, when the Ohio pei
sions only amounted 10 about Ave and
half millions.
The Democratic administration has bee
generous to the soldiers and economical fc
i. the taxpayer. Taking Grover Cleveland /:
their model workingman, the employees
the government have worked more an
danced less than under the free-snd-Vorl
S easy system of Republican of6ce-holders.
Ours is great country, and our action I
citizens should be in harmony with the gran
simplicity of its free institutions.
We are the only people who in sing
/ lifetime ever saw free and powerful state
E and splendid cities, spring into existence
the midst of the wilderness.
a With population only one-sixth as gre'
= as that of Europe, we have more miles
c railway; and the annual amount Of tonnae
which passes to and from Lake Superio